MELBOURNE HORSE SALES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1531, 29 August 1912, Page 8

MELBOURNE HORSE SALES.

A N.Z. BREEDER'S IMPRESSIONS. Mr. Win. Charters, of Mosgiel, who recently returned from Australia, where ho attended tho Jlelbourno horse sales, informed an Ota go "Times" reporter tliiifc it had been anticipated that the salo would bo quieter than usual on account of the drought on tho other side, and these anticipations were realised, in part at any rate. The salo extended over two weeks during which time 400 stallions and 200 mares were offered, the number of New Zealand horses at , the sale being smaller than of late years. Tho highest price was obtained by tho Hon. J. 1). Ormond, of Hawke's Bay, a colt bred by him realising 500 guineas. Though well brought out, said Mr. Charters, tho colt would not commend itself to horse-breeders in this end of the Dominion, being one of the old type with heavy bone and abundant hair. Messrs. Mitchell and O'Brien's colt by the Edendalo stud horse Sir Thornley was an entirely different type of horse— tho approved modern type—with a fair amount of bono and good-quality hair. The Melbourne buyers must have plenty of hair, ,but of good quality, and in the right place. This colt realised 450gns.—a bona-fido sale. Tho big buyers in Melbourne did not miiico matters when a horse took their fancy, but immediately offered something like its value. Tho general impression in Melbourne seemed to be that for the next two or three years tho sale for colts would not bo so good as it has been in tile past, as a number of the local breeders over there have young stock of their own coming 'on, while, in addition, a number of the horses put up for auction this year wero withdrawn, and will be sent forward ' again next year. Two importers of Shire stallions also have several of their consignments still in hand, and will cither havo to realise at low figures—which is very, improbable—or turn them out for a year. The latter course will probably bo adopted. The youngest of them will bo grazed, and tho mature liorses sent out to earn their keep. The stallions as a'Whole which appeared at the sales contained a considerable number of liorses which could not be regarded as high class. If a couplo of scores of the tops were taken out of them, tho balance would be very medium-class horses. Tho • top score would average about 400gns. eadi, and the second score 250gns. each. Many of the tail end should never have been kept entire. An endeavour is being made to have tho annual sales conducted under tho auspices of the Itoyal Agricultural Society of Victoria, with the object of saving time and concluding the sales in one week instead of two. Seeing that there were only 400 stallions antUibout SOD mares at the "sales, this might easily bo done with advantage to all concerned. Ouo hundred horses daily might easily be managed with a little organisation. The Victorian market has been of signal service to our best . breeders on many occasions, so that they havo a direct interest in tho arrangements made for the sale, and most of them wish to got rid of their horses as soon as possible and. get back home again without loss, of time. As prices run at present there'is hardly room for the dealer between the breeder and the buyers, largely ou account of the heavy expenses incurred in collecting shipments and making them up before shipment, in the cost of freight, ind. in the blackmail levied for maintenance in Melbourne., It will no doubt pay several breeders to club together and 'send their stock directly from the farm, but unless better values obtain than prevailed this season, the present system cannot bo continued. After paying a tribute to tho manner in which the Union Steam Ship Company had catered for the shipment nf Now Zealand horses, Mr. Charters concluded by mentioning that the horse which' topped the market at last year's salo with a price of GOOgns. had this year ftiilcd to pass the veterinary examination insisted upon by tho Victorian regulations, w'hoeh talces place annually until a horse is five years old.

NEWS AND NOTES.